Keep Texas Beautiful:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Diane C. Birdwell @512-478-8813
Friday, May 25, 2001

KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL ANNOUNCES ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Chandler Wins Top Award!

(Austin, Texas) - Who Keeps Texas Beautiful? The citizens of Chandler do, that's who. Chandler is one of nine communities presented the Governor's Community Achievement Award by Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc. (KTB) and will share $1,000,000 in landscaping prizes from the Texas Department of Transportation for excellence in community environmental programming. The City of Chandler and Keep Chandler Beautiful will be recognized at the 34th Annual Keep Texas Beautiful Convention in Fort Worth, June 26 - June 29, 2001 for their efforts.

Keep Chandler Beautiful (KCB) had an incredible year with much of the success coming from the outstanding volunteer spirit of their partners including the citizens of Chandler, Chandler/Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Chandler Elementary School, Kidd-Jones Oil Company, Citizens State Bank, Brookshire's Grocery, Chandler/Brownsboro Statesman newspaper, TXU Electric, numerous local businesses, and state agencies such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC).

Throughout the past year, KCB coordinated three citywide cleanup events including 10 miles of city streets, state highways and farm roads. During the Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off a record number of volunteers, (totaling more than 100) picked up nearly 8,000 pounds of litter. KCB and 10 surrounding communities also participated in the Great American Cleanup collecting more than 25,000 pounds of solid waste.
Other successes contributing to the prestigious win of the statewide environmental award included the implementation of a city "covered truck" ordinance, strict enforcement of illegal dumping by the Chandler Police Department, the development of a one-acre memorial park, and the dedication of the first Chandler Recycle Center.

Even the youngest citizens of Chandler have gotten involved as the elementary students participated in the Arbor Day Poster Contest, attend popular Waste in Place educational workshops, take part in Texas Recycles Day activities, and the Cub Scout Den 4 even committed to the local Adopt-a-Spot program. The Kid's Club has planted and maintained a memorial garden in honor of KCB's founder.

This marks the 32nd Annual Governor's Community Achievement Awards, which are presented to communities in nine population categories that have the best grassroots volunteer environmental programs in the state. The communities exhibited excellence in community leadership, litter prevention, public awareness, education, solid waste management and recycling, illegal dumping enforcement and beautification. These prizes are designated for landscaping along state-maintained highways in their communities.

According to Debbie Moody, KTB board president, the quality of the entries from the communities was exceptional. "It's obvious the citizens of Chandler are committed to environmental stewardship and to making their city the most outstanding community in Texas. This year's awards have proven that one can make a difference," she said. "One scout troop, one civic organization, or one local business can make a recognizable difference in their community."

Keep Texas Beautiful, the nonprofit state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to empower Texans through education to take responsibility for enhancing their community's environment. KTB works with volunteers, elected officials, businesses and state and federal agencies to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. For more information on programs and events, call 1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit the website at www.ktb.org.